SGA tests new legislative sessions
Representatives for Central Michigan University's Student Government Association's House of Reps. were divided in six groups during their weekly meeting on Monday, Feb. 17 at the Bovee University Center. SGA Speaker of House Christian Dunn says this new approach at legislative sessions will allow more students to share their ideas for future legislation.
Central Michigan University’s Student Government Association tested the House of Reps. Legislative sessions during their meeting Monday night, splitting a room of more than 50 students into six groups.
Speaker of the House Christian Dunn said the new approach to brainstorming and drafting legislation is to help students get more engaged and allow everyone to present an idea.
“There (were) a lot more interactive members,” Dunn said. “People were giving ideas, writing ideas down, brainstorming, sharing their experience with other people. … With previous forms of House, I think they are helpful, but like I said before, it’s easier to talk in groups.”
The six groups focused on three different topics: Support and resources, infrastructure and safety, and campus amenities and accessibility. These groups discussed issues within the three topics and brainstormed solutions that could be written as legislation.
Committee Chair Kathryn House led one of the two groups discussing Infrastructure & Safety. She said that she felt students were more engaged.
“I think we could’ve talked for 45 more minutes if we weren’t restricted to that 9 o’clock time,” House said. “Another week of it would be amazing.”
Dunn said representatives will meet in the smaller groups again next week and will fully regroup together at a later meeting to discuss the ideas that were discussed within the sessions.
SGA looks for TEDx speakers
TEDx is returning to campus and SGA is looking for speakers. SGA President Carolina Hernandez Ruiz said anyone can submit an application on SGA's website.
“We want to gather the entire CMU community, not just the students,” Hernandez Ruiz said. “The application is open to anyone related to CMU, a student, alumni, faculty, administration.”
This year's theme is “Navigating The Unknown.” Hernandez Ruiz said that SGA chose a broad topic so speakers are not limited.
“It’s a great event because it highlights student leaders across campus,” Hernandez Ruiz said. “I see many students have more to share than what is allowed or what we can do in our day to day basis.”
She said the deadline to apply is March 7 at 5 p.m. and the conference will be held sometime in April.
In other news:
- SGA is holding its second annual Scholarship Fair on Feb. 20 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Bovee University Center Rotunda.
- The Association will be hosting a Q&A with Detroit Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan on at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Bovee University Center (UC). An RSVP is required to attend the event.
